Press Releases
Jade Entertainment unveils three new senior additions to its expanding team
Key recruitment embraces the convergence of land-based and digital gaming seen as essential for modern business continuity
22nd February 2021 – Leading Asian supplier Jade Entertainment has recruited three key senior hires, significantly strengthening its status as a definitive “one stop shop” for sports betting and gaming technologies operators across Asia.
This triple-pronged recruitment strategy sees Jean Rose Buenaventura take up the role of Chief Financial Officer, and Gary Hann become VP – Business Development, while Joseph Del Duca joins as VP – International Marketing. Their combined expertise, experience and sectoral contacts are second to none, as eloquently demonstrated by their respective career histories which bring an eclectic range of skills to bear at Jade.
Jean Rose D. Buenaventura, CPA joins Jade as Chief Financial Officer. Jean has 15 years’ experience in the online gaming industry. She has worked with top gaming brands in Europe (William Hill, Ladbrokes, Winner & Caliente) as well as Asia (Mansion 88 and Happy Luke brands). She was also part of the online gaming tech giant, Playtech, where she established several of its back-office and operation-support functions to Manila from Tel Aviv, Leeds, and Gibraltar. Among her many successful deliveries in the past is the setup of payment-process operations for premier customers at some of the UK’s leading brands with special SLA and secured data handling.
Gary C. Hann joins Jade as Vice President – Business Development. Gary comes with 30 years’ experience in land-based gaming. He has held multiple senior management roles in North America and Asia. Among the IR predevelopments, operations and openings he has taken part in over the past 12 years are the Venetian Macao, Four Seasons Macao, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Solaire Resort & Casino in Manila and City of Dreams Manila. Gary’s wealth of market knowledge will help Jade drive Product Sales in the region.
Joseph Del Duca joins Jade as Vice President – International Marketing. Joseph brings expertise across the entire gaming landscape, including online, land-based, social and real money whilst specializing in marketing, communications, media and government relations. He has worked with both startup-level and well-established gaming businesses including PokerStars, The Star, VGW and PokerNews. Joseph is a self-confessed poker and gaming enthusiast which allows him to look at business opportunities from the perspective of both a player and an operator. Joseph’s passion for players’ rights saw him create and lead the Australian Online Poker Alliance, the leading body advocating for player rights and a safe, fair regulatory process in the Australian market.
Jade offers a wide variety of products and services, providing both land-based and digital operators with the tools and services necessary to establish successful gaming operations. Its progressive global influence extends from the Philippines to Vietnam, Malaysia, Macau, Saipan, Australia and New Zealand, and continues to grow via a portfolio of partnerships with global gaming leaders and emerging technology companies.
Joe Pisano, CEO of Jade Entertainment, said: “This is a time of great change in the gaming industry and the events of the past year have shown us that a convergence of land-based and digital gaming is essential for business continuity. Jade continues to expand its team with the expertise to address this convergence.
“I, together with the team at Jade, am thrilled to welcome Jean, Joseph and Gary on board. As we continue to make strides into the Asian gaming scene, we are also developing a framework with great partners to move beyond our borders and grow our international footprint.”
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BiS SiGMA Americas
GR8 Tech Brings “Best Workplace 2024” and Fresh LatAm Insights from BIS SiGMA Americas
GR8 Tech’s participation at the recent BIS SiGMA Americas event held in São Paulo was quite successful, highlighted by winning the ‘BEST WORKPLACE 2024’ award at the SiGMA Americas Awards and holding over 150 meetings with operators and other stakeholders. These interactions have laid a solid foundation for GR8 Tech’s strategic expansion in the region and provided the team with significant insights into the evolving Latin American iGaming market.
A Closer Look at the Brazilian Market and Wider LatAm
“Brazil is not synonymous with Latin America. Each country on the continent has its own unique characteristics,” Evgen Belousov, GR8 Tech CEO.
The most important thing to understand in the LatAm region is that it’s very diverse. There are significant cultural and operational differences that necessitate a localized approach. For example, “Brazil’s rhythm is distinct; life starts in the afternoon, and business interactions reflect this laid-back pace. To thrive here, understanding and integrating into the local lifestyle is essential.”
Belousov further discussed the Brazilian market’s competitive nature, highlighting retention strategies’ crucial role. “The churn rate is high as players frequently shift between operators lured by aggressive marketing. Hence, having robust retention mechanisms, such as real-time tools and enticing bonus mechanics, is crucial to maintaining a loyal customer base,” he added.
Yevhen Krazhan, CBDO, addressed trending compliance and market preferences. “Regulation is a hot topic, with a keen focus on product compliance. Moreover, while classic sportsbooks saturate the market, emerging interests lie in areas like fantasy sports and social gaming, which present new opportunities for differentiation and growth.”
Thomas Carvalhaes, Senior Business Development Manager for the Latin America region, provided his expertise during the panel discussion “Understanding the demands and evolution of the B2B market”, highlighting the demand for localization and intuitive technology. “In Latin America, where many markets are still learning the ropes of iGaming, the simplicity of the technology is key. Products need to be user-friendly to ensure they meet the expectations of a clientele that values straightforward and engaging gaming experiences,” Carvalhaes explained.
Future Directions and Engagements
Building on the insights and achievements from BIS SiGMA Americas, GR8 Tech is actively expanding its presence in Brazil and LatAm, establishing its reputation as a key player in the region. The company is also exploring opportunities in other global markets, with Asia as the next target at SiGMA Asia, scheduled for June 3-6 in Manila, Philippines. This upcoming event presents another fantastic opportunity for GR8 Tech to demonstrate the capabilities of its flagship GR8 Sportsbook platform and forge new partnerships in another exciting and diverse region. We invite all our partners and clients to stay tuned, following our updates at https://gr8.tech/.
Choctaw Casinos and Resorts
Kambi Group plc Signs Landmark Sportsbook Partnership with Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
One of the largest Indian nations in the United States to utilize Kambi’s market-leading turnkey sportsbook on property and online in exclusive nationwide partnership
Kambi Group plc (Kambi), the world’s trusted sports betting partner, has signed a landmark multi-state sportsbook agreement with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (Choctaw Nation), one of the largest Indian nations in the United States, to provide its sports betting technology and services to Choctaw Nation’s gaming entities.
Choctaw Nation, operator of Choctaw Casinos and Resorts, owns a selection of gaming and hospitality destinations throughout southeastern Oklahoma and is the official and exclusive casino and resort partner of the Texas Rangers, Major League Baseball’s World Series Champion. Choctaw Nation’s flagship resort is located near the Texas border and in close proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with a population of more than eight million people.
The long-term deal will see Choctaw Nation combine its digital and ecommerce expertise with Kambi’s market-leading turnkey sportsbook with the ambition to become an online and retail sports betting powerhouse. Pending regulatory approvals, the agreement includes the scope to expand into multiple states.
The relationship with Choctaw Nation strengthens Kambi’s position as the sportsbook partner of choice for Indian nations across the United States, with Choctaw Nation selecting Kambi for its proven online and retail technology as well as its collaborative approach to delivering tailored sports betting solutions.
“This is a landmark partnership for Kambi with exciting long-term potential,” the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer for Kambi, Kristian Nylen, said. “Not only does Choctaw Nation have fantastic, well positioned gaming and entertainment facilities in Oklahoma, but its proven track record in developing successful digital businesses gives me every confidence that together we will create thrilling sports betting experiences for its players.
“Due to these exciting credentials, Choctaw Nation was an obvious partner, so I am therefore delighted it saw the benefits of Kambi’s proven technology and recognized our shared values. Trust remains paramount through each tribal partnership and we look forward to delivering a best-in-class sportsbook that generates long-term sustainable revenues for the Choctaw Nation.”
“We are thrilled to have entered into a long-term agreement with Kambi,” the Commerce Senior Executive Officer for Choctaw Nation, Heidi Grant, said. “Adding Kambi’s best-in-class technology and custom player offerings to Choctaw Nation’s brand and market positioning, Choctaw Nation is poised to remain well positioned as the premier, full-service, vertically integrated gaming operator throughout our region.”
Magnus Natt och Dag Commercial Director North America at Play’n GO
Play’n GO announces expansion of PokerStars partnership with Pennsylvania launch
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced its partnership with world-famous gaming brand PokerStars has expanded into a third US state, as the studio’s games are now live with the operator in Pennsylvania.
Play’n GO and PokerStars have already established a successful partnership in the US, following agreements in the states of Michigan and New Jersey, as well as teaming up for a Michigan-exclusive game built around the state’s National Hockey League team, the Detroit Red Wings. This latest announcement sees PokerStars players in the Keystone State gain access to classic Play’n GO titles such as Book of Dead and Reactoonz.
Play’n GO is now licensed in six US states and is aiming to be active in every regulated market, in the US and around the world.
Magnus Natt och Dag, Commercial Director North America at Play’n GO, said: “Following our recent licensing approval in Pennsylvania, we eagerly anticipate the launch of our games with PokerStars, our third operator to go live in Pennsylvania. PokerStars share our vision for a safe, regulated iGaming industry, and we’re confident of further success together in the coming months and years.”
Brent Rovner, North American Casino Director at PokerStars said: “We are thrilled to launch Play’n GO in Pennsylvania, making their games available in all our active US states. We’re confident that our customers will enjoy these games for years to come.”
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